Question of the day
Thursday, Feb 4, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Mitchell Armentrout…
Illinois gamblers now have their first chance ever to lay down legal bets on the Super Bowl, but forget about wagering on the length of the national anthem or what commercial is coming up next.
Unlike in some other states — and on plenty of illegal offshore sportsbooks — Illinois bettors will have to stick to on-field action.
Illinois Gaming Board administrator Marcus Fruchter said at a meeting last week his agency will only allow bets on “activity directly within the control or jurisdiction of the NFL and/or individuals subject to the NFL integrity policy.”
Fruchter acknowledged such novelty prop bets — such as whether a winning player will declare he’s going to Disney World, or if a halftime performer will suffer a wardrobe malfunction — are good for “the growth and success” of the industry.
But he said it’s “imperative that sports wagering be conducted with the highest standards of integrity, and without any appearance or possibility of potential impropriety.”
* The Question: Do you think the state should allow prop bets? Make sure to explain your answer.
- Frank talks - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 3:59 pm:
Outside bets are a fun part of the game as well.
- Not the Dude - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:01 pm:
Yes, if they want to gamble, let them gamble.
- Homebody - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:01 pm:
Which other states permit betting on wardrobe malfunctions or commercials? I’ve never seen that sort of thing at a legitimate sportsbook in Nevada or New Jersey.
- Lt Guv - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:06 pm:
Sure. Bring in the bucks.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:10 pm:
My guess is that people will gamble about the same amount whether prop bets are legal or not, but can’t think of a good reason to allow one and not the other.
- Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:14 pm:
Given how well the state has rolled out various things lately, probably smart to keep the betting simple and easy to objectively verify, and add the goofy prop bets later after proving they know what they are doing.
- Lurker - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:14 pm:
No. I know it seems like an oxymoron goal to only want gambling for fun and those who can afford it but prop bets are for addicts and should be criminalized.
- Commisar Gritty - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:14 pm:
I bet this story gets at least 5 comments
- Chambanalyst - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:15 pm:
If they allow wagers on PGA golf events where the 3rd round leader can decide to give himself relief from a very questionable “embedded” ball, then yes, they should allow prop bets. I’d rather see an IL sportsbook take in the prop bets than have that money go out of state or offshore.
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:16 pm:
Absolutely. If they want to waste money let them. Also them bet on state schools. Already gambling. Like being a little bit pregnant or shutting barn door reasons for all those sayings because they are true. Are we trying to protect the virtue of gamblers?
- Jocko - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:17 pm:
If someone is willing to honor the wager, who am I to argue?
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:26 pm:
Does the restriction to NFL employees mean we can bet on who wins the coin toss?
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:27 pm:
We only want to allow bets on the things that can be controlled. The length of the National Anthem has too many variables and can be manipulated by bad actors trying to upset the point spread. S/
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:28 pm:
To the actual question… Allow any and all bets. As long as the state gets a cut, who cares what is bet on?
- DuPage Moderate - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:35 pm:
It’s betting. Vegas knows how to assess risk.
But, Illinois has to Illinois…
- CitizensArrest - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:39 pm:
Should not be allowed. I agree with the state’s approach here. We may have addiction issues, but we have honor.
- Consultant101 - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:56 pm:
Yes, please! While I understand the arguments against it, it just adds an element of excitement over mundane parts of the game. Kind of a buyer beware approach. You accept the risk when you place those bets.
- Nagidam - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 4:57 pm:
“Fifty bucks says the Smails kid picks his nose.”
So yes I think there should be prop bets.
- Mr. Hand - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:00 pm:
K.I.S.S - Keep it Simple.
If you are going to allow it, then do not try to regulate every corner.
- Been There - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:01 pm:
==== Does the restriction to NFL employees mean we can bet on who wins the coin toss?====
Pretty sure I saw that bet on one of the sites (but I might have been in Indiana). I assume since that is controlled by the NFL it would be allowed.
- Been There - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:06 pm:
I just checked one of the sites. They not only allow bets on the coin toss but also on the color of the Gatorade.
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:06 pm:
Yes if you can bet on the air pressure of Brady’s ball
- ChicagoVinny - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:18 pm:
Yes. They should also allow online poker like NJ.
- Captain Obvious - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 5:26 pm:
Seems an odd place to draw the line. The state gets its piece of the vig whether the bet is manipulated or not so who cares? If the bet is rigged the bettor’s beef is with the house, not the state. If the state discovers a dishonest bet, are there not provisions to sanction the betting site?
- Tombrady - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 6:10 pm:
Allow prop bets. The game usually goes 4 hours and actual playing time is 1 hour (much less of actual play action). So the idle timeouts, play reviews, time between plays, etc. begs for some fun in between the slow action.
- OneMan - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 6:25 pm:
You can bet on the coin toss in Illinois, any yes they should allow the more entertaining prop bets.
At this point considering what was once taboo 20 years ago and what the state is ok with now, I am not sure prop bets on the Big Game is the place to draw the line.
- The Dude - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 6:41 pm:
While I understand where he is coming from I think the state would benefit as more people might be inclined to bet if it was expanded and that would only help state revenue.
We need revenue and novelty betting likely can help with that.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 7:18 pm:
===Do you think the state should allow prop bets?===
Yes. Those tend to be the most fun bets. This is gambling. There should be no distinction between how far ones favorite athlete runs with a ball and how long The Weeknd holds a note.
The NFL doesn’t control who wins the game, who scores a touch down, so lets stop pretending like there’s some purity or virtue to sports betting.
- NorthsideNoMore - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 7:24 pm:
Just what we need more government regulation lol. Ya roll the dice ya takes your chances.
- Anonanonsir - Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 7:45 pm:
==considering what was once taboo 20 years ago and what the state is ok with now==
Yet some still complain about a nanny state.
Regarding the question, maybe there are already enough ways to empty the pockets of young dudes who have had a few beers.
- low level - Friday, Feb 5, 21 @ 10:33 am:
Yes. They should be allowed. I really don’t see how those kind of prop bets might create the “appearance or possibility of potential impropriety.”